Day: September 12, 2016

It’s not often that I even get to see a ladybug, much less save one, but that’s what happened Friday. Let me back up a bit.

One of the major benefits of working from home is that I get to take a break whenever I need or want one and one of my favorite types of breaks is to go out on the front porch and visit with the community cats. We’ve spayed or neutered pretty much all the cats that have been abandoned in the neighborhood and now they call our place home. It’s a good trade off for me, really.

We keep water and food dishes enough for everyone to be able to have a spot without getting in an argument and occasionally there’s something that needs rescuing in one of the water dishes. Friday it was a ladybug.

The Story

As soon as I saw the ladybug, I fished it out and hoped I wasn’t too late. The ladybug started crawling around on my hand right away, so I knew that at least it hadn’t drowned. What with all the aforementioned cats around, I told the little beetle that I’d stick around until it took off.

Plus, I was nosy and wanted to make sure that it was truly alright.

What followed was the most elaborate pre-flight checklist I’ve ever witnessed.

That little ladybug groomed its head and legs, following that up with a thorough grooming of its undercarriage. All the while, it would randomly flap its wings, testing to see if they were drying out, it appeared.

I couldn’t tell you how long I sat there watching this ladybug check itself out and make sure all was well, but it was fascinating. The ladybug didn’t seem to be bothered much by me hanging out, either, since it stuck pretty close to where I was. Finally, one of the cats snuck by my notice and jumped up on the rail, scaring the ladybug. So I didn’t get to see true flight, but I know that the little guy was pretty dry by the time it fled.

But here’s where it gets interesting.

Ladybug Symbolism

I’ve always been really interested in animal symbolism and animal totems. Lately, I’ve been looking up the symbolism of the animals and insects that show up in my life. It’s given me interesting information.

According to Spirit Animal Totems, ladybugs represent luck and fulfilled wishes. The site goes on to say:

This insect also cautions not to try to [sic] hard or go to [sic] fast to fulfill our dreams. Let things flow at their natural pace. In the due course of time, our wishes will all come true.

That’s lovely, isn’t it? Especially in terms of a message to me, personally. I’ve been feeling like I need to hurry up again, although I’m not certain what it is I’m supposed to hurry up about. So the ladybug dropped by to remind me that it’s all good…you’re fine where you are.

There are some other associations listed in the ladybug blurb at Spirit Animal Totems that you might want to look at for yourself, just in case there is some meaning that jumps out for you. <3